A ban on the display of tobacco products in shops is to be introduced in the Republic in an attempt to cut smoking rates further.
The advertising of tobacco products is also to be banned in retail outlets and there are to be tighter controls on the location and operation of tobacco vending machines.
The changes, which had been anticipated since the publication of the Public Health (Tobacco) Acts 2002 and 2004, will come into force once retailers and other interested parties have been consulted.
All interested parties who have a view on the timescale for implementing the changes have until November 16th to make submissions to the Department of Health.
Minister for Health Mary Harney, who announced the proposed changes, is also planning to draw up a register of all premises selling tobacco products. Consideration is still being given in the Minister's department to placing graphic images on cigarette packets to illustrate the damage which can be caused to people's health by tobacco products.
In a statement yesterday the Department of Health said: "The introduction of these measures will have practical implications for retailers, distributors and manufacturers. In this regard submissions are invited from interested parties in relation to the time-scale for the commencement of these provisions."
It added: "Submissions in relation to the specific measures will not be considered, as the measures have already been enacted in legislation."
Prof Luke Clancy, chairman of the anti-smoking group Ash Ireland welcomed the planned changes. "It is imperative that this legislation is implemented as a matter of urgency," he said.
"The ban on point of sale advertising is particularly important, especially in regards to young people. This legislation was published in 2002 and 2004 and has been delayed for different reasons. There are no further barriers to implementation so it is difficult to understand why we might have further delays at this point by way of consultation."